The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-01-16
7 HE w HEN
lNOCULATION FOR RABIES.
How the Operation is Performed in the Es-
tablishment Of NJ. Pasteur.

special TO the indianapolis Journal.
NEW YORK, Jan. l5.-Surgeon Charles A.
Sieefried, of the United States navy. has re-
turned from Paris, where he looked into the
Pasteur system of fighting hydrophobia, with a
view to its introduction into a government hos
ptal in this country. He says~that medical
opinions in France differ rs to the efficacy of the
inoculations, bu. that the records of cases seem
to establish the value of Pasteur's work 1.-THE
number of Americans who resort to Professor
Pasteur's institute he adls, ''is not suspected
by their countrymen. Many make the trip
privately, especially if they belong to we'll
families. able to pay the expenses without pub
licity. Besides, bitten persons often loath to
admit their nervousness, and therefore go to
Paris ostensibly for pleasure, while their real
errand sis to get nocnlated. Pasteur humors
their desire for secrecy, and permits them to
register under assumed names, even when he
knows who they really are. which is by no means
always A note of introduction from the Amer
ican minister is required matter of FORM
No fee is charged, but voluntary contributions
are accepted and these go into fund for the
maintenance of the hospital Pasteur personally
takes no pay l saw New York lady go through
the process. Her case had not been mentioned
in print. Her name assumed for the occasion
was Marietta Byrne, and she actually belongs to
a rather rich and fashionable family. Her pet
she did not know for certainty whether or
not she was in danger of the dreaded rabies. She
rode to Pasteur's house, at IA Rue VaQuelin,
which is an insignificant building In the midst of
the various schools of the Latin Quarter She
was accompanied by her father, who
presenlkz her credentials and gave all the
particulars of her case to a clerk, who
recorded them in big book. Then she was
shown into an ante room, and directed how to
prepare herself for the operation. This consisted
simply in arranging her attire 30 that, without
delay, the surgeon could inject the virus under
the skin. Then she was placed in line with
seventeen other bitten persons, all women or
children for this dav set apart for them. men
having had the previous day. All marched into
the room where Pasteur and his assistants were
in readiness. One surgeon stood beside table
on which was glass jar containing the protect.
tive fluid. Over the top of this vessel was
stretched a fltering paper. Beside it lay hypo-
dermic syringe. The man thrust the sharp, del
cate nozzle Of this instrument through the
paper into the liquid, and filled it in
that way, in order that by no pos
sibihty could it be vtiated by
contact with the air. Having thus charged tho
syringe, he handed it to the principal operator,
who deftly inserted it obliquely through the skin
quickly injected it's contents It was like the
puncture Of a needle. and not very painful. The
girl bore it without fnchine, but some Of the
children, we'll as the more ignorant adults,
cried and struggled at it. She had to return for
additional injections during several weeks"
It is thought that Congress will be asked to
appropriate money for the opening of Pasteur
hospital, either in this city or Washington
probaDy the latter.